Suction box and cover therefor for use in fourdrinier machines



April 21, 1925. 1,534,854

' A. LEWIS SUCTION BOX AND COVER THEREFOR FOR .USE IN FOURDRINIERMACHINES Filed May l2, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .a 4,. ez

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April 21, 1925.

i A. LEWIS SUCTION BOX AND COVER THEREFOR FOR USE' IN FOURDRINIERMACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May l2, 1923 a H I (511 1 I |I|||||il|||||l M A W 0 5 5 M w a OOOOO OO'OO O O G-O O jwei z'orar'ckeheaszeww,

Patented Apr. 21, 1925. I v

UNITED STATE-S 1,534,354 PATENT OFFICE.

ABGHELAUS LEWIS, OF CUMBERLAND MILLS,

SUCTION BOX AND COVER THEREFOR FOB USE IN' FOUBDRIN'IER Applicationfiled May 12, 1928. Serial No, 638,610.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARCHKLAUS LEWIS, citizen of the United States ofAmerica, and resident of Cumberland Mills, in the county of Cumberlandand State of Maine, have invented new and useful Improvements in SuctionBoxes and Covers Therefor for Use in Fourdrinier Machines, of which thefollowingis a specification.

This invention pertains to paper making machines of the Fourdrinier typeand relates more particularly to improvements in suction boxes'formingessential elements of such machines.

These suction boxes, of which several are usually employed, are locatedat the couch .end of the machine and are spaced beneath the horizontalrun of the Fourdrinier wire just before the latter dips over the guideroll to the couch. These suction boxes extend transversely across themachine and are provided with perforated or slotted covers. The boxesare connected with a suction pump or pumps which maintain a partialvacuum in the boxes and as the wire with its film of paper travels overthe tops of the boxes a portion of the water contained in the paper issucked out into the suction boxes. The partial vacuum within the boxtends to hold the wire against the cover of the box with considerablepressure and as the wire is constantly moving transversely of the widthof the box it soon wears grooves in the cover to such an extent as topermit air to enter the box from beneath the wire thus decreasing thesuction through the wire and impairing the efiiciency of the box.

It is therefore customary to make the box covers of Wood or similarmaterial and as often as appears necessary these covers are removed andtheir upper surfaces planed down to eradicate the grooves after whichthe covers are replaced for further use. Or dinarily the covers aresecured to the box still secured to the box. Either method consumes somuch time'that it is common to shut down the machine during theoperation in order to avoid impairing the quality ofthe paper. 4

The principal object of the invention is to provide an, improved type ofcover, together I with retaining means therefor, of such character thatthe cover may be withdrawn from beneath the wire without disturbing the"box and with a minimum consumption of time,

and so designed that when the cover is in To this end the box isprovided with up standing flanges at its opposite sides havingdovetailed or undercut grooves in their inner edges and preferably theseflanges are somewhat farther apart at one end of the box thanat theother. As applied to a new box such flanges, would ordinarily be formedintegrally therewith, but when the present invention is to be applied toan old style box the flanges are formed upon a frame which is secured tothe box by screws entering the holes ordinarily provided for receivingthe cover retaming screws.

The cover proper consists of a perforated plank having its longitudinaledges beveled to fit the dove-tailed grooves in the flanges and thiscover tapers in width from one end to the other to corres 0nd to theyarying distances between the anges. may be slid endwise onto the boxfrom that end where the flanges are farthest apart and may be securelywedged in operatlve position with its edges making a close and airtightjoint with the respective flanges by striking a light blow or blows'upon the wider end of the cover. When it is necessary to remove thecover for resurfacing, 1t maybe loosened by tapping its narrow Such acover end and then withdrawing it longitudinally from the box withoutdisturbing the latter.

An extra cover having its surface properly preepared may, if desired, beslipped imm iately 111120 place on the box and the operation of themachine need not be interrupted or interfered with during theresurfacing of the worn cover. If, instead of a perforated cover, it bedesired to employ one having longitudinal slots, it is proposed tosubstitute for the single cover member a series of bars each havingbeveled edges described and in addition to the side flanges,

the box is provided with grooved or undercut .clips or. retainers atintervals transversely of its width to engage the edges of the bars andhold them in operative pos'ition.

In the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of the invention isillustrated by way of example and in such drawings Figure 1 is afragmentary side elevation to small scale showing a portion of the couchend of a Fourdrinier machine and indicating the position of the suctionboxes therein;

Figure 2 is a transverse. vertical. section to larger scale illustratingan improved suction box and one type of cover in accordance with thepresent invention;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of the box of Fig. 2 ona. line 33 of the latter;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical cross section similar to Fig. 2 butshowing the improved cover and holding means therefor as applied to theold form of box;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view showing a cover holding frame suchas is emloyed with the old formof boxfor securlng the new type of coverthereto;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary plan view of a cover embodying the presentimprovements;

Figure 7 is a transverse vertical cross section, similar to Fig. 2 butto smaller scale, showing the invention as applied to that form of coverwhich comprises a series of spaced bars;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan view of abox of the improved typearranged for use with a slotted cover such as shown in Fig. 7

Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical cross section to larger scale, on theline 9-9 of Fig. 8, showing details of a bar holding clip; and

Figure 10 is a vertical cross section on the line 1010 of Fig. 9 showingfurther details of such clip.

In Fig. 1 the numeral 1 indicates substantially the plane of theFourdrinier wire while 2, 2 indicate the suction boxes arrangedimmediately beneath such wire and over which the latter travels. Theseboxes are connected by means of conduits L with a vacuumpump or pumps sothat a reduced pressure is maintained within such boxes in the usualmanner. Referring more particularly to Fig. 2 with the boxes 2 shown ascomprising the side walls 5, 6, and the bottom walls 7, the upper edgesof the side -walls are furnished. with outstanding horizontal flanges 8,9 respectively shown as integral with the box and the outer edges ofthese flanges are thickened to provide the upstanding flanges 10, 11respectively. The inner edges of the flanges 10, 11 are undercut toprovide the beveled surfaces 12, 13

respectively at intervals longitudinally of the box. Cross barsor'brace' members 14 are provided serving as supports for the cover 15.This cover is preferably formed from a plank and has downwardly flaringinclined or beveled edges 16, 17. The cover is also provided with aplurality of perforations or openings 18 which communicate rower end ofthe cover. In putting the cover in place upon the box, its narrower endis placed between the flanges 10, 11 at that end of the box where suchflanges are most widely spaced apart and the cover is then slidlongitudinally of the box until its beveled edges 16, 17 become wedgedbetween the inner surface 12, 13 of the flanges 10, 11. One or morelight blows may now be struck against the end of the lug 21 so that thecover becomes firmly and securely wedged in position where it makes aclose and air-tight fit with the box. When itis desired to remove thiscover, light blows may be struck against the outer end of the lug 22,thus loosening the cover and permitting it to be withdrawn freely fromthe box. While the .taperingform of cover is preferred, it is clear thatmany of the advantages of this form of cover may be secured even thoughthe cover be of uniform width from end to end with a correspondingarrangement of the retaining flanges.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the new form of box is indicated generallyat 2, such box being provided with outstanding-horizontal flanges at itsupper edges as indicated for .grooves extending longitudinally of theframe. These grooves slidably engage the edges of the cover members 15in the same manner as above described. If such cover members be oftapering form, the flanges 28, 29 are spaced apart a greater distance atone end of the frame than at the other, such j an arrangement beingshown in Fig.

, series of braces 14 is wherein the flanges are shown as farther at theend 26 of the frame than at the end 27. For strengthening the frame andforsup- \porting the cover at intermediate points, a rovided. Longitudinal members 24, o the frame are furnished with openings such as 24",25 respectively for the reception of screws 23 which engiie threadedopenings usually provided in t flanges 8 of the suction box for thereception of the screw ordinarily employed in securing the cover to thebox. In the modified arrangement shown in Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive, thebox 2 is shown as having the outstanding integral flanges 8", 9"respectively in the same manner as shown in the box in Fig; 2. The outeredges of these flanges are furnished with upstanding flange members 10",11'? respectively whose inner edges are undercut at 12", 13, to providecover engaging grooves. A series of brace members 14 are arranged atintervals longitudinally of the box and each of these brace members ispreferably provided with one or more bosses such as 31, 32 havinginternally screw threaded bores. Upon each of the brace members 14 coverretaining clips such as 33, 34 are arranged, each clip corresponding innumber to the bosses just referred to. These clips are preferably brasswith downwardly extending'ears 36, 37 embracing the sides of the bracemembers for centering the clips thereon, and the clips are secured tothe brace members by means of screws to engage the threaded openings inthe bosses. The opposite edges. of the clips are undercut as indicatedat 38, 39 to provide cover engaging elements. In this form of the devicethe cover comprises a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending barsof which three'are herein disclosed, such bars being indicated .by thenumerals 40, 41, 42 respectively. The opposite edges of such bars arebeveled as in 'cated at 43, 44 to interfit with the undercut surfaces ofthe flanges of the box and of the retaining clips respectively asindicated in Fig. 7. The bar 40 engages the surface 12 of the flange 10"and one of the undercut ed es of the clip 33.. The bar 41 is dis posedtween the clips 33, 34 while the bar 42 engages the clip 34 and theflange 11". These bars may be applied individually by sliding themlongitudinally of the box. Preferably the bars are tapered from one endto the other in the same manner as the cover member previously describedand the flanges 10", 11 and the clips 33, 34 are so disposed as to fitsnugly the edges of the several bars when the latter are inoperativeposition.

Whether the cover be formed as a single element as shown "in Fig. 6 orasa lurahty of separate elements as shown in ig..7, it

will ordinarily be made of sufiicient thickness to permit of its beingresurfaced several times before it must be discarded. With the improvedarrangement herein shown for holding the cover member or members. inposition, it is clearthat, such member or members may be planed downvery rapidly without in any manner interfering with the action of thesecuring means. When the cover is secured to the box by means of screwsas is the usual custom, it is necessary to countersink such screws inorder to prevent their engagement with the wire and the holes formed inthe cover above the screw heads apparently increase the tendency of thecover to become grooved or worn by the action of the wire, while withthepresent arrangement no openings are necessary for securing the cover inposition and thus such added wear is eliminated. If the cover be madewithout taper, it may be found desirable to provide bolts, latches,or'other means for preventing longitudinal movement of the cover, but itis evident that such means may be locatedat the end of the box where thewould be readily accessible without inter ering with the wire so thatthe removal of the cover would present no substantial difliculties andcould beraccomplished without interference with the operation of themachine. While in Fig. 7 the slotted cover is shown as applied to a boxhaving integral flanges, it is contemplated that such a slotted covermight'be employed in connection with a frame such as indicated in Fig.5, it being merely necessary to apply clips to the braces 14 of suchframe to permit the employment of a cover of the type shown in Fig. 7

I claim: 1. In combination with the suction box of a Fourdriniermachine, a cover member tapering in width from one end of the box to theother.

2. In combination with the suction box of a Fourdrinier machine, a covermember havg downwardly flaring edges and tapering in width from one endof the box to the other.

3. A suction box for use with Fourdrinier machines, said box havingcover retalnlng elements, and a slidable cover member tapering in. widthfrom one end to"the other, engaging said retaining elements.

7 4. A suction box for usein Fourdrinier machines comprising spacedcover retaining elements, the distance between such elements beinggreater at one end o'fthe box than the other, and a cover havingopenings therethrough and comprising means engageable with said elementsfor retaining the cover in operative position.

4 5. A suction box for use in Fourdrinier machinescomprising membersprovided with oppositely inclined cover en aging surfaces, said surfacesbeing spaced rther apart at at the other.

one end of the box than at the other, and a tapering cover elementhaving sliding engagement with said surfaces.

6. A suction box for use in Fourdrinier machines comprising u standingflanges at opposite longitudinal e ges of the box, said flanges havingundercut grooves in the inner faces, the flanges being spaced morewidely at one end of the box than at the other, and cover elementsengaging the respective grooves.

. 7. A suction box for use in Fourdrinier machines having a horizontal,outstanding flange at itsupper edge, and a frame attachable to saidflange and comprising spaced elements provided with means for slidablyretaining a cover in position.

8. In combination with a suction box for use in Fourdrinier machines, anopen frame adapted to be secured to the top of the box and comprisinglongitudinally extending upstanding flanges having grooves in theirinner edges for engagement with the elements of a slidable cove 9. Incombination with a suction box for use in Fourdrinier machines, an openframe adapted to be secured to the top of the box, said frame comprisinglongitudinally extending spaced flanges having undercut inner edges forsliding engagement with eleinents of a cover, said flan es being spacedfurther apart at one end oi the frame than 10. A 'cover holdingattachment for use with the suction box of a Fourdrinier machinecomprising an open rectangular frame 13. A suction box for use inFourdriniermachines having a cover comprisin aplurality of spaced barseach having evelled edges, and means carried by the box for slidablyengaging said edges whereby to retain thecover in operative position.

14. A suction box for use in Fourdrinier machines having a covercomprising a plurality of longitudinally extending, transverselyspacedbars having downwardly flaring sides, and elements carried by the boxand having opposed bevelled surfaces for engagement with the flaringsides of the respective bars for holding them in operative position.-

15. A suction box for use in Fourdrinier machines having a plurality ofbraces extending transversely of the width, and a cover retaining clipmounted upon each of said braces, each clip being provided with anundercut bevelled surface for engagement with a cover element. I

16. A suction box for use in Fourdrinier machines having a plurality oftransverse braces, a plurality of clips mounted upon each brace, eachclip having an undercut surface, and a cover element having bevellededges engaging said undercut surfaces.

.17. A suction box for use in Fourdrinier machines having a pluralityofsupports spaced longitudinally thereof, a pair of clips secured intransversely spaced relation to each support, each clip .having undercutedges, flanges upstanding from opposite edges of the box and havingundercut inner edges, a bar having bevelled edges slidably securedbetween the clips of each pair, and a pair of bars each having bevellededges, slidably secured respectively between one clip 3f each pair, andthe adjacent upstanding ange. Signed by me at'Cumberland Mills, Maine,this fifth day of January, 1923.

-A RCHELAUS LEWIS.

